Munir Iqbal Channar Wins NA-168 Bahawalpur By-Election

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Malik Munir Iqbal Channar has won the NA-168 Bahawalpur by-election, according to unofficial results compiled from all 292 polling stations. The result keeps the National Assembly constituency with the family of the late lawmaker Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, whose death had created the vacancy.

The unofficial count showed Munir Iqbal Channar securing 79,306 votes. Independent candidate Wali Dad Cheema finished second with 42,623 votes, giving the winning candidate a margin of 36,683 votes.

Polling in the Bahawalpur constituency began at 8am on September 27 and continued until 5pm. Voters who were already present inside polling station premises at closing time were allowed to complete the voting process before counting began under the supervision of election officials.

The constituency had attracted attention because both leading candidates come from politically prominent families. Munir Iqbal Channar is the son of the late Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, while Wali Dad Cheema is the son of former federal minister Tariq Bashir Cheema.

The seat became vacant after the death of Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar in August. His party subsequently awarded the ticket to his son, giving him the opportunity to contest the seat previously represented by his father.

The by-election also carried broader political significance because it tested the ruling party's ability to retain support in Bahawalpur following the death of its sitting legislator. The unofficial figures indicate that the party maintained a substantial lead over its main independent rival.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Munir Iqbal Channar following the result and praised voters for participating in the electoral process. He also highlighted the political services of the late Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar and described the result as reflecting continued public confidence in the party.

The figures remain unofficial until the relevant election authorities complete the formal consolidation and notification process. Attention will now turn to the official confirmation of the result and the successful candidate's subsequent assumption of the National Assembly seat.